Did you just get the COVID-19 vaccine? That’s great news! You’re protecting yourself and others from getting sick. By getting vaccinated, you now have some more options on how to safely interact with other people.
New guidelines posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on May 13 give recommendations for people who are fully vaccinated. To be fully vaccinated, that means two weeks have gone by since your final COVID-19 vaccine. So, if you’ve received a vaccine that requires two doses (Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech), you’ll be fully vaccinated two weeks after your second shot. If you received a vaccine that is a single dose (Janssen/Johnson & Johnson), you’ll be fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving your single shot.
It’s good to remember that these guidelines are for non-healthcare settings. So when you visit a Bon Secours location, we will still ask you to use tried-and-true safety habits (such as handwashing, masking and distancing) to keep everyone within our facilities healthy.
What can I do if I’m fully vaccinated?
- You can do all activities without wearing masks or physically distancing. However, be aware of exceptions for if these practices are required by federal, state, local, tribal or territorial laws, rules and regulations. You also need to continue following requirements made by local businesses and workplaces.
- You can travel domestically without testing or quarantining before or after.
- You can travel internationally without getting a test before leaving the United States (unless your destination requires it) or quarantining after returning.
- You can avoid getting a test or quarantining after a known exposure to COVID-19 as long as you have no symptoms.
What should I keep doing after I’m vaccinated?
For now, fully vaccinated people should continue to:
- Get a test if you have any symptoms of COVID-19.
- Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations.
Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and how to get one.
